37th Amstel Gold Race - (CDM)

Netherlands, April 28, 2002

Preview

The fifth and final race of the World Cup this spring is the Amstel Gold Race,
being held this year on a Sunday instead of the usual Saturday. First held in
1966, the Amstel is certainly the baby of the spring classics, but has earned
its place alongside the 'monuments'. It's by far the biggest race in the Netherlands,
and we can expect thousands of orange-clad fans dotted along the 33 climbs thoroughly
enjoying the occasion, especially if there is a cafe nearby.

The race starts and finishes in Maastricht in the southern part of the Netherlands,
wedged between Belgium and Germany. The route is quite torturous, with the aforementioned
climbs forming the key part of the race. Unlike the Ronde Van Vlaanderen, there
is no 150 kilometre cooling off period before the climbs start. After 9 kilometres
the riders hit the 1.1 km Slingerberg; only 5% but merely a taste of things
to come. None of the climbs are longer than 2.1 kilometres, and none average
more than 11%. The best known is probably the Cauberg, a 1 km cobbled climb
at 8% which is tackled three times, the last with under 20 km to go.

Stringing 33 climbs over the course of a 254 kilometre race is considered
by most to be a sufficient challenge. Add in the numerous corners and the wind,
and it's surprising that the Amstel does occasionally finish in a bunch sprint.
Erik Zabel won it in 2000 in such a manner, but more often than not a small
group gets away to contest the finish.

Who will it be this year?

Despite the absence of last year's winner Erik Dekker, the Rabobank team will
start this race in the favourites' role. Michael Boogerd has finished first
and second previously, and should be well supported by a motivated team that
includes Markus Zberg, also a potential winner. On paper, they are not as strong
as some of the other teams, but they are racing at home and there is a good
incentive to win.

Mapei-Quick Step have already won two World Cups this season - can they make
it three? With World Cup challenger Paolo Bettini at the helm, anything is possible.
Add in Oscar Freire and a support crew that includes Tafi, Nardello and Zanini,
and Mapei is in with a huge chance.

Lotto will be looking at Peter Van Petegem to try and increase his position
on the World Cup table. He's currently in fifth position, and does well in this
type of race. Last year's third placed Serge Baguet is also in with a chance,
as is Mario Aerts.

The Fassa Bortolo boys haven't managed to snag a World Cup win yet this season
- perhaps Bartoli and Basso (3rd last week) can combine to put them on the top
of the podium. Don't count out Domo's Johan Museeuw and Fred Rodriguez, both
of whom have been successful this season. Museeuw has the World Cup jersey,
and wants to keep it. He won this race in 1994 and is more suited to it than
the tougher Ardennes races.

Don't rule out Erik Zabel either - the Telekom powerhouse is not at his best
so far this season, but has still picked up several wins. He's capable of making
it to the finish and should he do so, there are few who can beat him.

One rider who would dearly like to add Amstel to his palmares is twice runner
up Lance Armstrong, who will lead the US Postal team along with their classics
man George Hincapie. Armstrong was not there for the final of Liege-Bastogne-Liege,
and he expressed serious doubts about his form last week. This week may be a
different story.